Kulsoom’s death: Nawaz, Maryam, Safdar could be released on parole

LAHORE: Incarcerated former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and her spouse capt (retd) Safdar are expected to be released on parole to attend funeral ceremony of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz in Lahore.

During the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif informed them about Kulsoom’s passing away at London hospital. She is expected to be buried at the ancestral graveyard at Jati Umrah residence in Raiwind.

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry has said Nawaz Sharif would have to follow the legal procedure if he gets released on parole in the light of court orders.

He said the government had no objection to his being given parole, instead he assured that Nawaz’s plea will be legally processed. He said every possible facility will be provided to Nawaz, as per the law.

“Jail officials accompany an accused when he/she is given parole,” he said adding that according to the law, parole was given for 12 hours.

Her funeral prayers were offered at the Regent’s Park mosque in central London. The arrangements to bring back her body will be made after a death certificate is issued. It would take two to three days, at least.

Shehbaz Sharif is expected to leave for the United Kingdom on the next available flight to bring back the body of his sister-in-law who passed away in London after a long battle with cancer.

It is pertinent to mention that Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and her spouse Safdar, were convicted by an accountability court in the Avenfield reference case on July 6. Nawaz Sharif was sentenced to ten years in prison, while Maryam was imprisoned for seven years.

Safdar was sentenced to one year prison without any fine. He was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau on July 8 and has been serving time at Adiala Jail ever since.

The new federal cabinet also placed their names on the Exit Control List on August 21. The Lahore High Court has also denied their plea to set their convictions aside.